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College of Humanities

College of Humanities

A Statement in Response to Recent Acts of Hate

We condemn the expression of racism, fascism, white supremacy, and bigotry that resulted in violence and death in Charlottesville in recent days. As leaders in the College of Humanities, we stand in solidarity with communities that were targeted; communities of color, LGBTQ, immigrant, Jewish, and Muslim communities. At a time like this, it is particularly important to reaffirm the mission of our College, which values the diversity of cultures that make up the human experience. As part of an educational institution, we encourage dialogue and an exchange of ideas. Yet, we educate our students to think critically and discern between ideas that have value and those that are rooted in hatred, false premises (such as racial superiority), and false equivalencies. We explicitly reject white supremacist arguments that endeavor to increase inequalities and devalue large sections of humanity while promoting violence and genocide. It is our job as educators to help our students understand the difference between ideas that take us forward as a society and those that lead to divisiveness, denigration, and destruction. Our mission as a College to educate responsible global citizens committed to principles of diversity, equality, and justice for all is more important than ever.

In Solidarity,

Elizabeth A. Say, Dean, and the Administrative Council of the College of Humanities

Welcome to Humanities

As education becomes ever more focused on professional degrees and vocational training, employers increasingly report that what they seek is not necessarily more specialized degrees but rather people who can think, who can synthesize, who can analyze, and who can apply a broad base of thought to a wide variety of areas. The College of Humanities teaches students to read, write and think. Our graduates are prepared for a 21st-century workforce that advances those who have the power not just to achieve and innovate but to communicate their ideas to an audience beyond their applied field.

Captioning Videos Used in Instruction

The University has launched a new website: www.csun.edu/captioning. The purpose of the site is to provide unified content for faculty and students regarding captioning. As a reminder, we are required to caption videos used in instruction. The website provides useful information on captioning options for both content creators and consumers.

By JORI FINKE, New York Times. RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The shiny steel space capsule, a 12-sided metal contraption, looked more like a theatrical prop than anything truly orbit-worthy. And it was getting crowded inside. A heavy desk, bookshelf and fireplace — all made out of steel — lined one wall. Still to come was a metal trunk. “If I had to go in a space capsule because I couldn’t live on earth anymore, I’d want it to feel like a home,” said the capsule’s creator, the El Salvador-born Los Angeles artist Beatriz Cortez [Professor, Central American Studies], who Read more

“Black Sheep Boy,” the chronicle of a young gay man in Louisiana’s Cajun bayou by California State University, Northridge English professor Martin Pousson, is a finalist for a 2017 literary award from PEN Center USA.Read more

Featured Events

Thursday, October 5, 2017 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Although scholars have problematized the dichotomy between “migrant” as voluntary and economic, and “refugee” as forced and political, few case studies exist. Focusing on the “boat people” who left Vietnam in the late 1970s (most of whom were ethnic Chinese) and resettled in the United States, Canada and Australia, Lisa Tran argues that while international and state policy Read more

Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 11:00am to 12:30pm

Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Studies, Connecticut College, Sufia Uddin, will address the legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam. He lamented British rule in India, religious conflict and violence. In his poetry and essays he condemned zealots. Uddin will explore the roots of his pluralist perspective and understanding of Islam in the life of the nation, Bengali society, and his own life. Read more

Wednesday, September 27, 2017 - 12:00pm to 2:30pm

September is EOP Month at California State University, Northridge and the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) is proud to host a celebration event to commemorate 48 years of continued student success. Read more